What are Dermoid Cysts?
Author: Jay Taylor
The development of dermoid cysts effects everyone equally no matter age, race or gender. Cysts that grow on the scalp, neck or face are usually very visible at birth, but dermoid cysts that grow on the ovaries can obivously only effect woman and are much less visible.
A dermoid cyst is a complex ovarian cyst that grows from the totipotential germ cell. Known for containing solid physical tissue such as hair, teeth, and bone, a dermoid cyst in the ovaries most often develop during a woman\'s prime childbearing years, between the ages of 20 and 40, though they can develop at any age. Dermoid cysts are often surgically removed as a result of the intense pain they produce when they cut off the blood supply of the ovaries. Other dermoid cysts have been known to occur on the face, neck, or scalp.
A mature teratoma, otherwise known as a dermoid cyst is a benign type of tumor known to grow in the ovaries. Dermoids are quite common, making up for nearly half of all benign ovarian tumors discovered, but are rarely malignant. Only 1 to 2 percent of dermoid cyst cases become cancerous and most often only in women over the age of 40.
Cancerous dermoid cysts are referred to as immature teratomas. The development that occurs early on will determine if or not a dermoid cyst may become cancerous. Dermoid cysts are rarely ever cancerous, and can vary in its content, often known to contain hair, sweat glands, cartilage, and muscle fibers. There is slim to no chance that a dermoid cyst will turn into a cancerous cyst once there are hairs or other similar features that appear on it.
It usually requires a routine pelvic exam for a doctor to find out that a patient has a dermoid cyst growing on the ovaries. Most times causing the patient no symptoms what so ever, they can on occasion twist and even rupture causing quite a bit of pain in the pelvic area and abdomen. In order to prevent any future problems associated with dermoid cysts on the ovaries they should be removed by a surgeon. If they are allowed to grow unchecked dermoid cysts on the ovaries can cause the condition peritonitis that can cause irritation and significant pain in the abdominal area.
Abdominal or pelvic pain is a primary sign that an ovarian cyst has burst or twisted. Surgical removal is usually the preferred course of action. Only a physician can diagnose a dermoid cyst, because the symptoms associated with it are not markedly different than those from other types of ovarian cysts.
The symptoms of ovarian cysts are something every woman should be aware of, and any time she experiences these symptoms, she should consult a doctor. Any ovarian cyst that has the potential to turn complex should be watched carefully, and this includes a dermoid cyst. Removing a dermoid cyst has no impact on fertility and will not cause pregnancy complications. Still, patients need to perform good self care post-surgery to keep scar tissue form forming.
Read additional free information concerning ovarian cysts here ovariancystfacts.com to Find Out How to Cure Yourself of Dermoid Cysts and other forms of ovarian cysts naturally.